Consumer Health Librarian of the Year Award

Consumer health librarians focus on the continuum of health information services that benefit patients, caregivers, and individuals interested in optimal health and health care for themselves and their families. Established in 2017, this award recognizes those who demonstrate excellence in consumer health information services, promote innovation and collaboration, and provide examples to follow for other consumer health librarians.

Eligibility

Consumer health librarian who exemplifies the best in consumer librarianship:

Acts as a role model to peers in consumer health librarianship and works to mentor new librarians to the field.

Contributes to the knowledge base of consumer health librarianship by sharing best practices with peers through presentations, posters and publications, or teaching.

Works collaboratively with other medical librarians, administrative staff, co-workers and community leaders to provide accessible consumer health information services.

Leads by example and is an innovator within the work environment.

Maintains professional credentials and pursues appropriate continuing education opportunities as a lifelong learner.

Nomination Terms

The nominee must be a member of MLA.

The nominee must have worked in continuously for each of the last 5 years immediately preceding the nomination, and must be working in a health sciences library at the time of the award.

The nominee should hold a professional library or information science qualification.

It is preferred that nominees be a member of the Consumer and Patient Health Information Section (CAPHIS) for a minimum of two years. Nominee's MLA membership history may be confidentially confirmed by contacting MLA Member Services.

Online nomination form, including all supporting documentation, must be completed no later than November 1.

The recipient will be notified in March before the annual meeting at which the presentation will be made. The recipient receives a certificate at the association’s annual meeting and a cash award of $1000 after the annual meeting. The recipient assumes all costs of attending the meeting and the ceremony at which the presentation is made. If there are no appropriate candidates, the association may elect not to present the award in a given year.

Submission Checklist

The nomination must contain at least the following elements:

a precise description of the nominee’s achievements and service to MLA and CAPHIS;

a current curriculum vitae or resume;

any further information which may assist the jury in the evaluation of the nomination and the selection of the recipient; and